Editor Interview: Quills and Cosmos Press

SF/F by minorities

There are so many great indie presses right now that are lifting up voices that don't often get the spotlight. Dragon Bone Publishing is one, doing some amazing things.

Margaret Atwood, Naomi Alderman, N.K. Jemisin, Ursula Le Guin, Naomi Novik... there are so many!

We focus on Big stories. Something that is going to change your world view a little; give you something to chew on. We like unlikely protagonists, who don't usually get the spotlight. We love a strong theme, a big issue, bold story telling. And all from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other minorities.

Be yourself. Be honest, be real. We work with humans, we are human. Do the best you can with what you know. When you learn better, do better.

A book that has a big idea, that is executed well. Solid sci-fi or fantasy that knows its lane but is wildly inventive within it.
A cover letter with a good hook, and a bio that is relevant (with a bit of personality.)

Oh goodness. My submitters are usually pretty on top of things. The biggest problem is not reading the submission guidelines, or not knowing anything about Q&C. We're very open about our mission statement, so there's really no reason to submit if you don't agree with it.

I'd like to know the basics about someone; "I'm from northern Colorado, where I live with my spouse, three kids, and two dogs" kind of stuff. But as far as publications go... yes, it's nice to hear that you've been published in a small lit magazine that we've probably never heard of. If you're in somewhere big, like Asimov's or Writers of the Future, def put that down. But we work with a lot of debut authors. It's not going to rule you out if you don't have pub credits.

We ask for the first three chapters on initial submissions. We can generally tell in the first chapter if it's going to be worth reading the whole sub, because generally someone's first chapter is going to be their strongest. If it's not grabbing us, then we'll stop there.

The initial submission is the first three chapters. If we like that, we'll request the whole manuscript. If that lives up to its promise, and fits in with the Q&C vibes, we'll offer a contract.

I handle most parts of the publishing process myself, so my days can vary greatly depending on what book is in what stage. Some days I'm deep in developmental edits, doing a book's layout, or talking to a cover designer. Other days I'm making graphics for social media, looking at marketing options, or going over an editor's feedback. One of the best parts of the job is that there are so many different hats to wear; no two days are the same!

We usually do a developmental edit, which can vary from chopping up an ending or moving chapters around, to light pacing issues and character arc strengthening. The comes copy/line editing, then proofing. We're a full service publisher basically. And it's a collaboration, so no edits are made that the author doesn't get to sign off on.

Yes! Depending on the book, we'll nominate for various awards. The first book we published, The Ice Moves for No One, was a 2x finalist in the StoryTrade Book Awards, and is a finalist for the IBPA Book Awards, with the ceremony next week to see if we've won. TIMFNO and Beyond the Border Forest are also in the running for the Indie Book Awards.

Social media, and ads on Amazon, FB/IG. We're always trying new things though, so if someone comes up with a brilliant idea, we're all for trying it.